A small group of men gathered in Russellville this weekend to remember a significant part of their lives — time spent together at sea during World War II.

Reece Hogins, 92; Alan Cooper, 87; Ed Ellis, 88; and George Urbano, 86, were all members of the U.S. Navy who served together aboard the USS Anderson during the war.

Hogins, who lives in Pope County, was on board the Anderson before America joined the war.

“I was on it two years before the war started, until it was over,” he said.

The shipmates have had regular reunions since 1980 and now meet annually. The men estimate about a dozen sailors they served with on the Anderson are still living, and only a handful are able to make it to the reunions. This year, Hogins is hosting the reunion in Russellville.

The sailors sit and talk, recounting memories at sea and telling stories of their shipmates’ lives after returning home.

“You knew everybody that was on board the ship,” Ellis said. “We were like brothers.”

The men said despite their long months at sea, the sailors on board got along well and didn’t fight among themselves. The men recounted only one instance of fighting during their time at sea — between two sailors who suddenly stood up and began exchanging blows during dinner.

Pictures were passed around from those younger days, including photos of sailors who were initiated as they crossed the equator.

“You don’t become a sailor until you cross the line,” Cooper said.

Also pictured was a Japanese admiral who came on board to sign a treaty, which was signed at a Japanese naval base.

The USS Anderson was a destroyer that saw a lot of action during World War II. The ship was part of 11 battles and was damaged twice in battle — once in a shore battery and once by a suicide plane.

During its commission, 24 officers and men gave their lives in action on the vessel.